MYRModel Year Report

2008 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2008 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:47:49.749Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
168
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 168 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 168 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 168 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2008: 168 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202119
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel/propulsion system

26% · 44 reports
Show complaint excerpts

My son bought this used car. The STOP ENGINE light came on, got an oil change but the light did not go away. Were told that the oil pressure might be the issue so took it to the mechanic. We were told it was most likely the oil pressure switch.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-30

Also filed under Engine

Smell of gasoline inside car

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-31

Engine

26% · 43 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

We came home from a 30 mile trip and parked the car in the driveway. Went in the house and about 5 minutes later heard a big pop sound. I think is was a tire exploding and found the entire engine on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-07

Also filed under Structure

While parked in the lot, the engine area caught on fire and burned the front half of the car before the fire department put it out.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-05

Air bags

20% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing inflator module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-03

Electrical system

13% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2008 vw Passat wagon. This car while parked, running and occupied, in a garage had a fire whose point of origin was the area of the driver's seat. The fire investigation determined the cause to be accidental mechanical.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-10

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2008-05-30Engine and engine cooling08V235000 Volkswagen is recalling 4,079 my 2008 Passat and 2,500 my 2009 Tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0T fsi ulev ii engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ECM) containing…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the ECM software free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2008. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2018-06-26Fuel system, gasoline17V509000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V235000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V509000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.